Who Won Season 21 of ‘America’s Got Talent’?
The Season 21 winner of “America’s Got Talent” has been revealed.
“the biggest, most talented, most viral talent to be on that stage,”
During the season finale on Sept. 23, the latest act to join the roster of champions was announced in an episode that began with 10 acts vying to win this season’s competition, as well as the $1 million prize.
Here’s what happened.
Who Won “America’s Got Talent” 2026?
Nene Royal took home the most votes to win “America’s Got Talent.” After host Terry Crews revealed her name, the 16-year-old rocker from Thailand, who began playing guitar at age 7, collapsed on the stage and covered her eyes in disbelief as the stage was covered in confetti.
“I’m very happy,” she told Crews. “I’m emotional right now. I just want to say thank you to all you guys supporting me and voting.”
Royal emerged as a force to be reckoned with during her audition, when she covered “Zombie” by The Cranberries. She later was invited back to perform in the new Judges’ Callbacks round and advanced right to the live shows after a stellar rendition of “Hysteria” by Muse!
Royal then wowed fans with her take on Soundgarden’s “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden in the quarterfinals, which prompted judge Mel B to move her into the finals with the Golden Buzzer. During her finale performance, Royal got a standing ovation from the judges with her performance of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army.” She also performed “The Emptiness Machine” with Linkin Park during the results show.
The judges loved Royal’s finale performance. Howie Mandel said she was “the biggest, most talented, most viral talent to be on that stage,” while Mel B said she was “unique.”
“We can’t get enough of you,” Sofia Vergara added.
Who Came in Second Place?
Magician Geno Ploege was the runner-up. The Wisconsin native has performed around the country and even interned under previous “AGT” champion Mat Franco. The two also performed together during the finale.
The episode began with the top 10 finalists still in the hunt to win this season’s edition of the show. Royal and Ploege were joined by Acro Canine Crew, Come Here, Hundred Fingers, Noelle, Olivia Befus, Royal Lasers, Unitree and Veronika Goroshkova.
Who Made the Top 5?
The 10 acts where whittled down to five. Royal and Ploege advanced, as did Royal Laser, Hundred Fingers and Goroshkova. After that, the competition was narrowed down to a final three: Royal, Ploege and Hundred Fingers, a magic and dance group from South Korea.
